McCain Asks His Supporters to Be Respectful

By Michael D. Shear
LAKEVILLE, Minn. -- Sen. John McCain responded Friday to the increasingly angry crowds at his rallies and town halls by urging them to be respectful of his rival, Sen. Barack Obama, despite their deep policy differences with the Democratic nominee.

Speaking to skeptical supporters at a town hall in this Minneapolis suburb, McCain prompted boos from his crowd when he called Obama "a decent person" and told an expectant father that he does "not have to be scared if he is President of the United States."

"We want to fight and I want to fight, but we will be respectful," McCain said, also prompting loud boos when he declared that he admires Obama's accomplishments. "I want everyone to be respectful and let's be sure we are ... That doesn't mean you have to reduce your ferocity.
It's just got to be respectful."

To all of you who are fixating on Obama's middle name, Don't forget that McCain's first name is John...just like John Wilkes Booth and John Hinckley! Coincidence???
Is there no end to the stupididy of hate?

The Acorn accusations are just another "Swift-Boat" campaign. It does not matter to the right wing hate-goons what the truth is. Just take something and go with it. The facts are irrelevant to them. Shame! Shame! Shame!!!!

The McCain/Palin rallies, fueled by "hate talk radio" are reminiscent of Nazi Germany, and the the KKK. These are truly dangerous people. God help us, please!

Women must unite against the liberal media vicious, sexist, cruel, demeaning, contemptuous UN-AMERICAN, unfair, unprofessional, unrelenting and blatantly biased treatment against Vice President Sarah Palin and acting blatantly in favor of Barack Hussein Obama during this unprecedented historic quest for the presidency!

Barack Hussein Obama claims a mightier throne, one forged in liberal ideals of justice and equality and hope, BUT he has benefited mightily from sexism in this campaign, and has remained silent. Obama supporters seem very happy with the sexist way pundits and some news organizations treat any action or statement by Sarah Palin, and many believe that most of the "venom" in the campaign is coming from supporters of Obama.

Women of America Unite in this defining moment in American history. To ensure we can grow up from the male dominated government that has caused many of the problems our country is facing; to a country where men and women are equal partners in governance.

As the independent check on government, the media have the responsibility to present accurate, unbiased news and analysis that will allow Americans to make an informed decision based on the facts, and not on any given administration's talking points.....media matters

John McCain/RNC released two new propaganda ads one of which accuses Senator Barack Obama of knowing Professor William Ayers for years....The ad insinuates Ayers must have taken an interest in Obama but why? I won't even go into detail how sinister and sick this ad is. It was created to imply that a sitting US Senator is a terrorist. It never mentions that Ayers was never convicted of a crime, it never mentions that the weather undergrounds acts took place when Senator Obama was 8 years old, it never mentions that Obama met Ayers When Ayers was.....

William Charles "Bill" Ayers (born 26 December 1944)[1] is an American elementary education theorist and former leading 1960s anti-war activist. He is known for the radical nature of his activism in the 1960s and 1970s as well as his current work in education reform, curriculum, and instruction. In 1969 he cofounded the radical left organization the Weather Underground, which conducted a campaign of bombing public buildings during the 1960s and 1970s. He is now a professor in the College of Education at the University of Illinois at Chicago, holding the title of Distinguished Professor.

The ads seek to INSTILL fear an uncertainty in a key constituency of White rural Americans. The ad is designed to invoke anger and racist sentiments through this group. This is how John 'War Hero' McCain seeks, "..to turn the page.."

MCCAINS OWN OCTOBER SURPRISE.......

'Judge not, or YOU'LL be judged...and according to the measure YOU use will judgement be laid upon YOU.." In other words, 'what comes around goes back around', yet for McShame it's with a vengence.

IS JOHN MCCAIN A NEO-NAZI WHITE SUPREMIST????

The differance here is Obama met Ayers when the wheather underground was over and done with for years. McCain for his part was sitting on the US COUNCIL FOR WORLD FREEDOM.....AN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION LINKED TO NAZI COLLABORATOR'S AND MURDERERS
WHILE A SITTING US SENATOR IN 1982-1986. McCain says he left the group in 1986.

The U.S. Council for World Freedom also aided rebels trying to overthrow the leftist government of Nicaragua. That landed the group in the middle of the Iran-Contra affair and in legal trouble with the Internal Revenue Service, which revoked the charitable organization's tax exemption.

The council created by retired Army Maj. Gen. John Singlaub was the U.S. chapter of the World Anti-Communist League, an international organization linked to former Nazi collaborators and ultra-right-wing death squads in Central America. After setting up the U.S. council, Singlaub served as the international league's chairman.
In two interviews with The Associated Press in August and September, Singlaub said McCain became associated with the organization in the early 1980s as McCain launched his political career. McCain was elected to the House in 1982.

In 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Amendment into the law of the land. Before the ink was dry on that document, Johnson made the following statement, "I have just delivered the South to the Republican party for the next generation." Unfortunately for America, Johnson was wrong. The insurmountable level of bigotry and racism prevalent in 1966 has been genetically transmitted to every subsequent generation and sadly; it appears to be a dominant gene.

The Republican Party is apparently satisfied with portraying itself as being composed of two separate factions. The upper echelon contains the party leadership, which is staffed by slick (not to be confused with intelligent) opportunists who are owned by various private interests and aspire to remain on their respective payrolls indefinitely. These individuals are supported by the community of affluence, which has no interests in political policies and is void of social consciousness. Its membership simply refuses to part with its wealth and is indifferent to the concerns of anyone not included in the higher Arcana. The second group, far greater in number, is populated by the descendants of those referenced in President Johnson's quote. This is the element to whom Sarah Palin has the greatest appeal.

In the late 60's and early 70's, many sports teams signed specific players whose positions required unique skills. If an opposing player was having an exceptionally productive game the "specialist" was charged with the task of distracting the star with insults and derogatory statements designed to precipitate an altercation resulting in the ejection of both players. These "specialists" were euphemistically referred to as 'the goon squad.' This job description defines Sarah Palin's role in the Republican Party. Sarah Palin is the Jesse Ventura of Alaska, a state whose entire population is equal to 20 percent of the population of the city of Chicago; a state, which can boast of the second highest per capita alcohol consumption in the United States. It is likely that her successful election to office was facilitated by the two thirds of the state being hung over on Election Day. Palin's Vice-Presidential campaign is directed specifically to people like herself: ignorant, narrow-minded, and shortsighted. Her strategy is to spew inflammatory accusations about Obama's character and associations, lying about his political views, inciting screams of, "treason," and "kill him," from her fans. One would think that the Republican Party would be embarrassed by these graphic displays by its supporters yet no statements have been made to that effect by any representatives of the party leadership. Behind closed doors, the McCain-Palin campaign advisors drool over the possibilities of extremism and violence that might be perpetrated by one of the zealots in the audience. The speeches have already been written proclaiming phony outrage and righteous indignance. I am a vocal proponent of the First Amendment however; death threats do not qualify as elements of Free Speech.

I am unable to suppress a modicum of sympathy for sorry Palin. Her political career is over. She will surely go the way of the Swift Boat Veterans whose purpose was also exhausted. Perhaps one day we'll see her on celebrity boxing with Tonya Harding. On a more optimistic note however, Palin will likely never have to work another day in her life. She will be well taken care of by the consortium of private interests who are financing this circus. This is, after all, the Republican way, is it not?

Congratulations Mr McCain. You have succeeded in throwing whatever dignity, honor, and respect you ever possessed right out the wondow. I was at that rally in Clearwater and heard the vilest & most divisive, hate-filled comments I've ever witnessed in my life. I had 3 little old ladies in front of me sighing that it was a shame lynchings were illegal. I heard Obama referred to more by the "N" word than by name (when they weren't calling him a Muslim terrorist that is) I saw t-shirts depicting Sen. Obama hanging from a tree, and some with his face in a bullseye. When the guy next to me was saying they'd have to call it "The Black House" if Obama were elected, his friend said he'd never make it there because someone would "blow his black a$$ to hell".

You & your unvetted VP pick, Sarah Palin have caused this vicious environment by YOUR actions & words. YOUR campaign has given permission to these racist people to behave in this way. Weren't you taught, as most children were, that hatred is like a cancer? What happened to "Country First"?

You & Palin have become the very "agents of intolerence" you once decried. You have divided the very country you sought to lead. Not exactly the actions of a "war hero" are they?

This country needs a President that seeks to unite us & provide REAL solutions to our problems. Not one that stokes the fires of racism & hatred to achieve a desired goal.

You are no longer that man Sen. McCain...I don't know who YOU are anymore but the man from 2000 is long gone.

Congratulations Mr McCain. You have succeeded in throwing whatever dignity, honor, and respect you ever possessed right out the wondow. I was at that rally in Clearwater and heard the vilest & most divisive, hate-filled comments I've ever witnessed in my life. I had 3 little old ladies in front of me sighing that it was a shame lynchings were illegal. I heard Obama referred to more by the "N" word than by name (when they weren't calling him a Muslim terrorist that is) I saw t-shirts depicting Sen. Obama hanging from a tree, and some with his face in a bullseye. When the guy next to me was saying they'd have to call it "The Black House" if Obama were elected, his friend said he'd never make it there because someone would "blow his black a$$ to hell".

You & your unvetted VP pick, Sarah Palin have caused this vicious environment by YOUR actions & words. YOUR campaign has given permission to these racist people to behave in this way. Weren't you taught, as most children were, that hatred is like a cancer? What happened to "Country First"?

You & Palin have become the very "agents of intolerence" you once decried. You have divided the very country you sought to lead. Not exactly the actions of a "war hero" are they?

This country needs a President that seeks to unite us & provide REAL solutions to our problems. Not one that stokes the fires of racism & hatred to achieve a desired goal.

You are no longer that man Sen. McCain...I don't know who YOU are anymore but the man from 2000 is long gone.

Give the guy (senator McCain) a break! I feel that McCain is torn between his integrity and the party machine. Hence so many flip flops.

The party machine (read: lobbyist, self interest groups) choose McCain because he is,like Bush, a simple person easy to manipulate. They choose Palin, because she is not only simple, but stupid and unscrupulous as well. Let us just hope that Obama and Bidden will be more resistant, when these "power behind the throne" shift their allegiance to them, after the election. Like vultures, they will look somewhere else, once there is no more to be picked from the cadaver.

Notice how WSJ and Fox are already starting to change their tone, though ever so subtly. If I were a principled fox reporter, I would start looking for a new job. On the other hand, if I am wagging my tail because of the prevailing wind at the office, I could change my tune.

McCain has regain my respect for standing to the principles of what makes America great. Its better to lose with dignity rather than lose your honor, senator McCain.

A man has only one important thing to take to his grave and that's his honor. Honor trumps politics; ask anyone that has served this country. The ones that scream hatred are the true losers of this political campaign gone amuck because they will die in a catatonic state of racist fear. FTS. McCain had his chance and he blew it.

USDefender - John McCain is an UNAMERICAN, race baiting, hate mongering, dispicable excuse for a human. He and his VP choice are scum. I can't believe anyone would want this racist to serve our country. He thinks there are two Americas - one of hateful, ignorant, low life GOPers and one of people who hope for a change and pray they get it.

after weeks of revving up his mobs to the most disgusting show of hatred, now he's saying 'no, you must respect my opponent' -of course they're going to boo, and why shouldn't they? they've been trained to -

John McCain strives for honor, discipline, and what is best for all United States citizens.
John McCain can withstand the hateful, disrespectful ones who try to denigrate and lie about him. He stands on his record in public life and in his service to the government.
I feel very sorry for the Obama people. Ignorance, deception, lies, and accusations will not strengthen our country.
Obama has no ability to do what he says he can, and no record of achieiving anything. Obama is a figurehead for the socialists who want to vote the public wealth to their ideology. They have already caused significant damage to our nation. Despite the Obama propraganda, deceptions, entertainments, voter registration drives laced with frauds in many states, and the spending huge sums on propaganda. Core Americans will not be swayed.
It would be very helpful and a lot more in character with the ideals of the nation if the Obama campaign would put a stop to the hateful criticisms of their nation and stop promoting racism and class warefare.
There is no such thing as "something for nothing." The Obama voters are shamefully deceived. Nobody wants to live in an Obama world. Americans are better than that...

McCain is still fighting Vietnam and chasing Bill Ayers.
One minute he was top-gunning those "commie gooks" in their cities and rice paddies and the next he was in a prison camp for five and a half years. He's lucky they didn't kill him on the spot. After all, that's what he was doing to them. Many would consider his bombing runs over Hanoi the activities of a war criminal.
I'm sure he came home wondering how did we "lose"? After all, we had all the fire power, the carriers, the aircraft, the men, the economics - we were the "super power". I'm sure he thinks we lost because we didn't have the "guts" to pursue "victory". We were "betrayed" by those nasty "librals" "Stabbed in the back" so to speak. Sounds llike some German Corporal's excuse for losing the Great War.
Of course we all now know (except maybe for John) that a "commie" Vietnam was no danger to the United States; that their war was one of nationalism vs. colonialism. They fought the Japanese, then the returning French colonialists, then their American successors.
There are 58,000+ names on a black wall that we "honor" - kids mostly. Kids drafted off the poorer streets of America, given a few months of basic and dropped in a faraway country to "kill commies". Most died while Nixon vowed to bring the troops "home with honor" When pols use that expression it usually means someone else's kid has to die for an empty slogan.
Too many died too far away from home for far too little. There is no honor in that.
Too many kids died at Kent State.
My bedroom set is marked "Made in Vietnam".
Those kids died for nothing.
Bill Ayers killed no one.
Who knows how many "Top Gun" McSame killed dropping bombs on civilians in another war that never had to be fought?

I feel that when a man who is supposed to have so much dignity and is supposed to be a respected Senitor has to lower himself to pulling the same racist bull that John McCain has then how can anyone think of him as being Presidental? I mean we know thatthe old tin man has no HEART for blacks or Mexicans or any other person thats not of his color. Yeah there will be folks out there that will say " John is a patriot , a real american" but deep down he's a racist lets look at his track record, 1. he voted many many times to block the Martin Luther king as national Holiday in Arizona, 2 he can even look the man in the eyes when he debates him (or is he scared to look a strong black man in the eyes). 3. whats up with the "That One " stuff? I mean he should have just called him "the N word" like he really wanted to. Now that he looseing in the race lets start with the slander and the association thing, well lets pull the Tin mans card, he associated with Felons you know people who still large amouts of money then give you some to stay quiet, he has voted for more messed up bills in his 20 years in the senate as anyone of the the last five years. He says he's a person that builds bridges to connect people but look at his campaign he has white chanteing racist slurrs and saying that Obama is "ARAB" well i guess he loves those back wood folks in the hills and mountains of Wisconsin,Minnisota, and Klan filled Ohio and Indiana. See what folks fell to see OHIO,nand Indiana are states where the KLAN started and where for years the Klan ran Republican have won." sorry but the truth is the truth. McCain should change his name to McKlan and his goofy running mate who can tell you one thing about any other country who thinks Alaska should leave the union should drop out the ran and save face because they will loose and for the guy that said he didn't want his unborn child to live in a country ran by Obama ( a black man)can take his country backwoods a?? somewhere else, him and his unborn child !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reek of the proverbial psy-op..All these old psy-op techniques are blowing up in the faces of the neo-cons, just like they don't want to talk much about 9-11, because the "9-11 Terror" meme was overrun by the "9-11 Was An Inside Job" meme , thanks to Alex Jones and the Truther movement (prisonplanet.com, infowars.com)..Some desk genius like Wolfowitz or Cheney chose 9-11 as the day to launch the attacks, for maximum psy-op terror effect ("We need a new Pearl Harbor to achieve our policy goals")..Christ, what a**holes..Plenty of New Yorkers are p*ssed ballistic about it (firemen), but also plenty of Brits and Spaniards (7-7, 3-11)..Oh yeah, plenty of others , too...There will be an Earth-wide celebration on the day George Bush leaves office..

Just as his campaign is on the verge of going over the cliff with its politics of fear and hate, Sen. McCain pulls it back. He may not have saved his campaign or his party, but he has finally done the right thing, and I respect him for it.

What a sad pathetic way to go out, John Mccain. Not that you were what you tried to portray yourself as, you Bush and Leiberman hugging a**. But you go down flailing with desparate lies about Obama being a "terrorist"? And the best second you can find in the entire United States is Sarah Palin?? And you incite your audiences to "kill him"? Just quit, while you can still save face you dried up old coot. My friend!

Be charitable to love234america. The McCain campaign doesn't need to pay people like her, they're happy to volunteer.

For an educated person, she must have been absent the day they taught the difference between "secession" and "succession", or for that matter the month that they taught about critical thinking about your sources of information.

Love234america, it sure does appear to be about race, in these hateful, ignorant rallies. I am from the rural South, and these people strike me as ignorant bigots on a par with the worst I’ve ever heard.

I have seen analogies to Hitler in the 30’s in this election, but it’s from McCain’s supporters, not from Obama or his fans. And I say this quite seriously, as my late father in law was a Holocaust survivor. McCain/Palins demagoguery scares me to death.

Obama has tried to bring people together, as McCain has tried to rip us apart – and YES, I blame McCain for Palin’s actions, the actions of the nutjob right, and the loons whose emailed lies McCain has taken advantage of.

Bottom line – Obama has good ideas. I especially like his health care plan, and would vote for him on that basis alone, but his other ideas make sense and IMHO will help us out of the horrible state our country is in.

Palin is a hate catalyst. McCain is going to have to clean-up after her as long as she is around. The smart thing for the republicans would be to have Palin "spending more time with her family." Then McCain could appoint someone with stature to replace that unethical snowy country fake candidate. Collin Powell to the rescue? Nah, he had enough...

Palin is dangerous. She is dangerous to women and to this country. Seldom does she think before she speaks. Very extreme in her views and doesn't respect anyone who doesn't agree with her. Hence firing staff without cause(and not insubordination). What a disappointment she has brought to the Republican nomination.

The usual ACORN, AYERS crap. Not one thing on Mccain defending OBAMA. Hannity chickened out by not appearing and dont tell me its a Friday break. If OBAMA was in the same position that McCain was in today Hannity would have it as the very first topic.

Those flying monkeys on FOX have a pure hate for any and all things related to OBAMA. But its all cool like my man OBAMA. Its all KARMA biting McCain the rear end.

John McCain shows that he still has some dignity. Good for you John. I think campaigns can be larger than the man in charge sometimes and take on a life of their own. The racist and anti-American undertones of some of the Palin rallies needs to be temptered. This is in her control and McCain's control. I honestly dont think McCain want's this sour element associated with his campaign. Palin I am not sure. When someone yells out "terrorist", Palin needs to stop her rant right there, and say the campaign does not condone that, period. I studied a lot of Nazi propoganda and rallies while writing my thesis and I say this without exageration, some of the recent scenes from Palin's rallies feel, look and sound eerily similar. By Palin not addressing the vile shouts, she is tacitly condoning them. Large crowds can be quite dangerous in legitimizing something each participant may not actually condone, but get swept up in the energy. This McCain and Palin need to address and keep things focussed on the issues. If they want to tackle Barack's honesty and fitness to lead, they can do that without introducing this hate and racism -- though a bad political move I think. Voters are concerned about the economy. I know I am.

McCain only spoke up because the bigoted ranting was hurting his chances. It wasn't because he respects "that one". Nice of you to give McCain the benefit of the doubt- it shows you are good but proves nothing at all about McCain himself. Now don't be ingenuous- it can be as bad as being disingenuous.

I have to believe that John McCain is a decent person. I'm sure he is uncomfortable with the behavior of his party and the ruthlessness of his advisors. Especially given his suffering in war and the unfair smears that George Bush put on his family in 2000. I can see a way out for Mr. McCain. He needs to dump Palin . . . say she is not working out the way he envisioned - too strident and divisive in a touchy time. Such a move would allow him to exist after November 4 with dignity and respect. Today's announcement on troopergate is a window, maybe Mr. McCain's last.

This is the John McCain I remember! I think he's been under tremendous pressure and was caving in to some bad advice - but his character won out tonight. I'm voting for Obama, but McCain's actions and words gave me hope that we Americans will be able to work across party lines. The vitriol in some of the comments here make me sad. Don't we all want change? Don't we all want to raise the rhetoric and make this country better? I'd like us to be able to disagree with respect. I think both Obama and McCain would like that, too.

McCain took a step back toward the thougtful, respectable human he used to be before he decided to run for president. If he continues along this path he may, or may not, be elected but at least he can have his self-respect and the respect of the country he served. On the other hand, what is Palin going to talk about now? Of course, there is always the possibility this is a head fake to throw the oppostion off in which case there will be a really quick run for the exit by all but the hard core neocons.

This is so typical of the republicans. Let’s distract the masses from the real issues by trying to manufacture dirt. Who cares of it’s real or not? I say the republicans had their chance. For eight years, they have advanced a broad agenda involving aggressive military action and trickle down economics. About the best one can say about the last eight years is that we managed to reject Bush’s efforts to tie social security to the stock market. The republican agenda has depleted our resources, driven us into massive debt, collapsed our credibility with other nations, and accelerated the loss of domestic jobs. Even worse, we have squandered our national treasure in the sands of Iraq instead of investing that money to build a national infrastructure that can provide jobs and allow us to compete in a 21st century world. Anyone who watched the Olympics would be blind not to see that China is pulling head of us in almost every measure of prosperity and power. The last thing we need is another maverick, what we need is a dynamic leader who represents the future and the face of a new America.

Obama fans criticizing the angry McCain supporters? Where is your anger when Wright yells "God D*** America?" Twenty years in his church, "could no sooner disavow Reverand Wright than the black community or my white grandmother..." but all is forgiven when Obama disowns him for political gain. This all passes quite quickly through our liberal media, much like the fact that Obama received more payouts than all but one other legislator from Fannie and Freddie, and he was only in the senate for four years. Wake up! Let's CHANGE this society that enabled a black man from a single parent home to become a millionaire and run for president at age 44. America is the enemy, right?

A "Time" contributor, traveling with the McCain campaign reported today that the number of "crazies" at McCain campaign rallies has risen from three or four to the vast number of attendees. I think Senator McCain realized today what has happened and it struck a cord of decency within him.

McCain urged a crowd not to fear Obama and immediately drew boos and hisses. So much for Steve Scmidt and Karl Rove running the campaign. Karl better have his loyalty statement distributed before Bush shows up on the inaugural platform 1/09 or Bush will hear boos and hisses.

Love the angry plants in the audience, shades of right wing talk radio. I thought Sarah Palin was the pitbull? Just another sign of McCain being erratic.

The white uneducated sector of our population just realized that there's a very good possibility that Obama will be sitting in the Oval Office next year. It's as if the light just went on in their racist heads. I'd be shocked if we don't experience a Kristallnacht on election night perpetuated by groups of redneck thugs if Obama wins.

It will just be the white elephant in the room like McCain's age, erratic behavior, and horrible past. If anything, Krauthammer will come out with a column of Republican talking points, maybe...she's the new, fresh Cheney.

To love234america, True Americans blog for truth. We are not getting paid for serving our country. Our country needs respectfull, honest, and dependable citizens in the midst of crisis, reason why we blog to let people know the truth. Vote for Obama and you'll have peace of mind.

The other thing I forgot to mention is I'm sure Obama must be fighting back some tears. Not just at the tragedy McCain's become, but that that was what it took for him to admit that Obama was a normal, patriotic American and not a threat. No different from the fear any black man has to face from whites or the extra distance they have to go for the benefit of the doubt whites take for granted.

"Thank you, but God, why'd it take so long, why'd it have to cost you so much? If you knew for one day the strain of having to show the world you were the least threatening white man in America. And still not be believed. If only you knew."

I'd bet significant Republican contributors got the word to the campaign that they would not stand for this hatemongering. But the fact is, the campaign made a DELIBERATE decision to foment this hatefulness through trying to push the message that Sen. Obama is not "one of us". At a minimum, it calls into to question Sen. McCain's judgment.

The nods Republicans have made towards blacks for years have not been a serious effort to attract a constituency they've basically written off, but to assuage moderate whites who repudiate racism and racists. McCain's campaign seems to have given up on even THAT faction. Truth is, though, there aren't enough red meat far right conservatives -- the ones who swooned over Palin -- to win this year. You write off moderates, you write off independents and you write off the election.

The sadness that I feel - at what McCain turned himself into to seek power, at what it's cost the best parts of himself, the admission he's been forced into - is only somewhat softened by the hope that he has finally, at great cost, found his soul that seemed hopelessly lost. It immediately called to mind this passage from the New Testament (1st Corinthians Chapt. 3):

"[13]...each man's work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.
[14] If the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward.
[15] If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. "

If McCain really means what he says, he has returned to his former, pre-2000 self only to find it in ruins. He looked crushed in front of that crowd, suddenly aware of the horror he had created and become. It took courage to speak the (albeit obvious) truth in front of them - he could have said Obama wasn't Arab but in a way that still sowed distrust. What he basically did was stand in front of the mob and say he was wrong, that he'd led them on. Without using the words, he was all but admitting defeat.

It also makes me ashamed and afraid for this country. That there is such a large portion of this country who can so EASILY be stirred to bloodlust ("Bomb Obama!") and hate... This is why almost never go to political rallies, because part of firing up people to vote for you includes firing them up against your opponent. Derision, mockery, disrespect, finally hate are inevitable in our politics. Maybe it IS time for a little bit of Kum ba Ya. It would be nice to know for once we can come together as Americans, sort out among ourselves what we need to solve our problems, the way a family does. No one gets everything they want, everyone gives up something and priority is given to keeping the family (nation) going as a functioning unit. I don't care if anyone thinks this is naive, but if you do, just read this again and ask, "Well, why the heck not?"

Be you an Obama supporter or a McCain supporter we all should be thankful that Senator McCain has called for respect. I thank him for that. Now let the real issues decide this campaign. By the way this is a note I sent the McCain campaign on Wednesday:
Disclosure: I am an Obama supporter but I hope you all take the time to read this email regardless. I am troubled about the tenor of Governor Palin's recent public appearances. While you have valid points to make reference Obama's past relationships, the inability or unwillingness of the Governor to respond to some of the crowd responses, which border on scary, is troublesome. I cannot imagine any member of the Obama campaign (principals or surrogates) not cautioning over-zealous supporters on reckless and inflammatory outbursts. You and I know that Obama is not a terrorist, should not be villified, should not be threatened, simply because he is a political opponent. So please have Governor Palin ask the rowdier members of her crowds cool it a bit. You have policy differences, fine. You have legitimate claims about past relationships, fine. But please don't allow the competitive campaign juices turn into flammable gasoline. As a fellow military officer, retired Army and combat veteran, and despite my support of Senator Obama, I genuinely honor Senator McCain's service to the nation. Had he not had the misfortune to follow in the aftermath of an abysmal administration I might have voted for him but never the less do wish him well.

My 401(k) has lost over $30,000 in the past two weeks, and John McCain spends 75% of his time pressing this link between Obama and Ayers. What planet is he living on? I get his point, and I've already factored that into my decision. His supporters slam Obama for being a socialist, but McCain wants the taxpayers to subsidize all of this country's negative equity. I can't believe that prior to Palin, I once considered voting for him. I miss the days when I considered W. to be unqualified.

I just saw the clip of McCain trying to calm the crowds. It seems to me that McCain doesn't really believe all of the crazy rhetoric coming from his campaign and from the crowds. He's just doing it to win. Now he knows it's gone too far, and he's trying to close the barn door. Unfortunately, he still has Palin on his team who really does believe the craziness. She is one scary lady. McCain is now over his head with an out of control crowd who boos him for asking them to be respectful? And, can you believe we're talking about this when our economy is in the tank?

I DO GET IT, REALLY GET IT!! I am a 69 yr. old lady who first voted for JFK and have voted in every presidential election for both Democratic & Republican candidates. I do not listen to Limbaugh and who in the hell is Hannity? I am an educated individaul with lots of life experiences, common sense and have traveled the world. I love my country, my family and my God. I have extensively researched Barack Hussein Obama, read both his books, watched him speak, and I am not a racist by any means. I distrust Obama so very much and I do believe that this man has brainwashed so many Americans. He lies, lies, lies; he's changed his positions on almost every issue when he realized he would get more votes by changing them. His speach about a year ago (saw it on the web) was so socialist. You Obama voters just don't know what you are getting yourselves into. You blame Bush for everything, everything. Bush has made lots of mistakes but this economic crisis everyone is at fault. The Democrats are wholly responsible for the housing crisis & Fannie Mae; Fannie Mae's former president & CEO is now Obama's chief financial advisor. Wonder if he thinks he'll get millions in bonus from working for Obama as he did get from Fannie Mae. ACORN, Obama's voter registration organization, is overwhelmingly registering dead people, non-existent people, felons, sandwich shops as people, the whole Dallas Cowboy team as residents of Nevada. Obama's campaign is doing so many illegal moves if it were a football team there would be yellow flags all over the field. Do extensive research on this man Obama before you vote. How does "The Socialist Nations of America" sound to you?

First he puts out hateful statements, Palin makes wild accusations, they both gets the crowds howling and when it's totally out of control he asks them to calm down. This is no way to run a campaign, and it will never be the way to run America.

the Bible says you reap what you sow. McCain ran ads that implied, but of course could not say, that Obama was an arab, muslim, terrorist "not like us." Now his negative campaign has blown up. His crowds saw his ads, got the code, and broke it, to the point that everyone, including, McCain, is embarassed. but it's too late. McCain's own crowds are boing him when he denies the names his crowds are calling Obama. but his campaign is still attacking Obama for having the audacity to criticize McCain supporters who call for Obama to be killed. That's right, the McCain campaign is defending supporters who call him a muslim terrorist who should be "bombed" just when you thought it couldn't get dirtier. it does.

but McCain trying to clean up his act now just reveals him as a pathetic old fool who couldn't live up to the standards he may once have held. what a shame.

it is extremely unusual for campaign crowds to get this emotional at rallies and there is a reason for that. the guy who yelled "kill him," meaning obama at a palin rally without a rebuke by here, is unlikely to have shouted that out of a deep passion over politics or policy. the fever can be attributed to the racism obama always has faced and still faces in this campaign, where you can bet at least 5% of his poll numbers come from people who say yes now because they don't want to be tagged racists, but who will not vote for him in november. see more at www.straightrecord.com.

I can't believe I am watching a woman who claims to be an American actually asking McCain if Obama was an Arab. What an idiot. Doesn't she know that if Obama was an Arab he would be filthy rich with our OIL money and would hardly be running for a $450,000 job in a country where half of the people hate him because of the color of his skin!

Pennsylvania should be ashamed of these people. Do they have schools in those neighborhood? I guess Bush's no child left behind forget they those "children" are being raised by "idiots" at home!

McCain knows that Palin is quilty of firing Monegan. Now, he is trying come clean by telling Obama is a nice guy. Obama is always nice and nothing to hide. Mccain is so stupid and hiding the real terrorist which is Palin. Send Palin back in Alaska and put her in jail.

My mother used to say, once you're qualified to be president, you're no longer morally eligible. But you have to vote for one of them. And I'll take the younger guy who is open to fresh ideas over the old fart who: graduated at bottom of class, crashed five jets over a short flyer career, dumped loyal wife for rich socialite, censored for poor judgement in Keating 5, proclaimed his ignorance of: internet, economy, finances, number of homes he owns, 21st century.

On May 21, 2008 John McCain received a political donation of $2300 from Lenore Annenberg, wife of the late Walter Annenberg and head of the Annenberg Foundation that financed the works of William Ayres. John McCain should publicly denounce this terrorist sympathizer and financier and return the $2300 immediately! If not, we MUST conclude that the McCain campaign is willingly financed by TERRORIST SYMPATHIZERS.

I find it increasingly discouraging that Senator Obama, a politico without portfolio has this groundswell of support around him, can someone exactly tell me what he has done? When compared to Hilary Clinton, he is an empty suit. Unfortunatley, Howard "YEEEOEOUWWWWIIII" Dean and his cronies in the Democratic Committee saw to it that Clinton was shelved and how terribly at that. I certainly hope that Americans will see through this neophytes rhetoric before its too late.

I promise you -- no one will stop you from moving out of the country when Obama wins. I'd even put in some money for your one way ticket out of here. You get enough of your like minded troglodytes to go with you and the average intelligence of this country would sky rocket.

Good bye, good riddance and don't let the constitution hit your bum on the way out.

This seems too little, too late. One video clip had the crowed shouting "kill him" at the mention of Sen Obama?!? Even assuming Sen McCain didn't hear it at the time, it's become clear in the video replays, and NO ONE in the Repub. campaign has commented? If Sen McCain had any shred of integrity remaining, he would have done this sooner, AND he would have SPECIFICALLY pointed out how crazy and wrong these crowds were. He should be ashamed.

I can't wait to hear the "spin" on this one. Let's see how they make this obama's fault. Oh wait - it must be Nancy Pelosi's or Barney Frank's fault. No No it's those aweful minorities (wink wink) who got all those sub-prime mortgages OR is it ACORN - yup - it's the fault of ACORN!

Now America can finnaly see that this woman is a CON. She is a fraud. WHO IS SARAH PALIN - HOW CAN WE TRUST HER A HEARTBEAT AWAY FROM THE 72 YEAR OLD PRESIDENT. SHE NEEDS TO TELL THE TRUTH!!!!!

He's only doing this because he's getting memos from Republicans more powerful than himself, Republicans for example, who are much closer to Ayers and the Annenberg money than Obama ever has been. Republicans, for example, who despite McCain's loss in the Presidential race, still would like to have a chance at re-election to their Senate and Representative seats. It has taken a while, because Senator McCain doesn't read email, so the likes of Nancy Regan and the other Reaganites that he and Sarah have tarred with the Ayers brush, had to get him on the phone and send paper memos.

Now he has gotten the message. Now he is in the impossible position of calling back his dogs of war.

Yeah! I want THIS guy to be my Pesident. This morning he's inciting a riot. And this afternoon he's trying to take it back. A real JECKYLE & HYDE moment. More like HECKLE & JECKLE.
And then we have Sarah saying the Constitution leaves room to add more power to the Vice President. After what she did as Mayor and Governor can you imagine what she would do as Vice Pesident. Or God forbid as President. She would grow a mustache and comb her hair to one side.
So the truth is starting to show up. The defacation is starting to hit the ventilation. Everything this NOT YET READY FOR PRIME TIME PAIR has been throwing agaist the walls of this country to stick is sliding down for them to walk in.
And what's up with Sarahs' association with the guys who wants to make Alaska a country? The leader of which said he didn't want to die under the American Flag. NICE GUY for Sarah to be palling around with. Or the NICE GUY she tried to give her city council seat to when she moved to be the Guv. THESE TWO WERE A CARTOON ALL ALONG

Todd Palin said he was being persecuted by the investigation. This from the shadow co-governor who has recently been involved in a secession movement in Alaska. Heck of a vice-presidential family potentially taking up residence in the mansion on the Navel Observatory grounds. Almost sounds like the Beverly Hillbillies.

Sen. McCain has just gone from Emperor to Darth Vader (And that's after he throws palpatine into the reactor). If he keeps up this tone and actually does put the country before his ambition I think he can maintain his legacy as a Top rate Senator and Maverick.

I think a statement like this and the congratulatory commercial he put out the night of the BO'Bs acceptance speech could have really made this a different campaign.

Throw the Rove play-book away and save your good name...I can feel the good in you.

loveamerica234, you need some perspective. Obama is a politician. I am one also. I have tried to be honest and truthful with people. The result has been death threats. For what? Because I tried to explain to them that if they got what they want (most of whom were conservatives) then the rest would have to pay. (i.e. a socialist perspective) That's right the conservatives wanted to transfer wealth from others to them.

Point is I have learned to be very reserved in what I say. Why because other will distort and twist what you say and believe to serve their own purpose.

This is why Obama was reserved in what he said about Ayers. But every truth group I've read has said there was no relationship between them.

So stop with the lying accusations. Commie accusation, etc....

Sorry but this is my country too, and in a democracy if I want more government involvement in the economy then that's what I get. It will not destroy the U.S. I've been to many western European economies, and New Zealand, and all have a lot more government involvement, and are by all definitions fundamentaly Capitalist, not socialist, and definitely not Communist.

I watched John McCain ask people to be respectful and his saying that Obama is a "decent person." That is the John McCain that I had respect for. I wonder if it would have been different if he had selected the person he wanted for his running mate - Joe Lieberman. I wonder if it would have been different for him if he had stayed aligned to his personal sense of integrity. His handlers have, I think, done him a great disservice. Even if he were to win - he lost something in the experience. I think it's probably better to lose and still own your soul.

why, oh, why aren't your Obamaians blogging about the illegal campaign funds of Obama's, his strong ties to ACORN who is registering illegal voters in numerous states (dead people, the entire Dallas Cowboy football team registered in NEVADA; bet Jerry Jones loves that); talk about Obama's ties to the Chicago mob, to his communist mentor Frank Davis, his attending socialst conferences as he wrote in his book, who paid for his expensive Harvard education (if you believe "schlorships", you are really naive), the campaign money from foreign countries & organizations, all his crooked friends....I could go on and on. If he's elected, how will you like the government to tell you where you have to work as the communist did to their people during the cold war?

seeing that all this racist, evil crap that McCain and Palin spewed out for the past week has caught up with hi. No he has to defend OBAMA by telling those nut brains that there's no reason to fear OBAMA, that hes a decent family man. Not to fear him if he becomes President. Supporters booing him. Its all over the news except that misbegotten FOX. Anybody think that O'Riley, Hannity and the rest of those flying monkeys gonna cover this story?

Nope. McCain is so damn ODD. Erratic. Off kilter. And to strange. what in the hell is going on with this fellow?

love234america wrote; I'd like to know how much these Obama bloggers are getting paid by the Obama campaign. Most of you make no sense."
Coming from the right, where multimillionaires Hannity and Limbaugh get paid by big oil/military industrial to spout repug talking points, I can understand your question; YOU DON't GET IT!

Like the rest of your ilk. I also understand that you are not at the FEED TROUGH, where Hannity, Limbaugh have front row seats.
You mostlikely are one of the minions who they feed off and who are casualties of their "take care of the rich" policies.

More erratic moves. McCain knows they went too far with their character assassination, but his aptly named "base" is spinning out of their control. They will be pissed off at him AND their continued frightening behavior will horrify potentially persuadable voters. McCain loses on both counts.

It's about time McCain speak out against this kind of ignorant hate speech. I have been greatly dismayed by the tone of the McCain campaign these past few weeks. This country has never truly healed from the assassinations of Dr. King and Bobby Kennedy.
The recent stories of the McCain/Palin rallies gives me chills.

McCain criticizes expenditures for museums and useful science projects. He recommends halting all spending other than military and veterans. On top of those bare facts, he's a erratic and old. I'm not sure what people see in him, other than the color of his skin.

Is McShame sincere or this is another of his erratic moves-- A Hail Mary!!!!??? If you start a fire in the forest, and keep feeding it venomous fuel, the Republicans will find themselves with no way out and burned..

I am glad the report from Alaska came out: Sarah Palin was found guilty of abuse of power... karma stings.... and truth reigns.

I listen to McCain to tamp down some of the crazies in is audience. Honestly I think he realizes that this strategy is making the country worse off:setting American against American. Please folks lets not go there. I don't hate Republicans. I have a pretty even mix of both as friends. I don't agree with McCain, but I don't hate him.

By following the malevolent path laid out by Schmitt, Rove, et al, McCain/Palin have not only shot themselves in the foot, they've likely ensured that the Democrats will win filibuster-proof majorities in both houses of Congress.

This campaign has made it a shameful thing to be a Republican and I believe the party will never be the same. I wouldn't be surprised to see the hard-right wing split off completely. Either that, or they will take over the party wholesale and squeeze out anyone who doesn't fall in line with their rigid, black-and-white ways.

Not believable. Senator McCain has sent his out lapdancing VP to stir up trouble on a par with the KKK. Then he stands back and acts above it all. Nope, not believable. Anyone who votes for the team should be ashamed of themselves.

Quit using the race card; this is not about race!!! Obama is extremely disliked and mistrusted by millions of Americans because they know he is a liar, a hugh liar, who has brainwashed so many American people, i.e. Hitler & German '30s & '40s. This man's mentor was a communist; Obama wrote about Frank Marshall Davis in his book; they were "like father/son". Obama has divided this nation as never before. Talking with some of my neighbors at the grocery store today we spoke of succession from the Union. Our State would be far better off than living under the noses of Obama and his socialist government. He has you fooled, folks, he really has done a number on you. You have not done your homework and research on this man.

More flip-flopping. First you get your supporters to disrespectful, then you act like you never MEANT to get them that way. What a loser. This guy needs to retire and leave our country alone. And now that is proven Palin abused her power as Governor, all I can say is GOODNIGHT IRENE, or should I say GOODNIGHT MCCAIN/PALIN.

WaPo reporters should spend some time on the periphery of these rallies, in the hours before the scheduled event.

They might discern that some of the most vociferous rabble-rousers hang together in packs, don't quite look like your "average Joe," and appear to be part of an orchestrated "street theater" -- not necessarily a reflection of spontaneous crowd enthusiasm. Examine closely their attire, and the electronics they are carrying.

The overt rascism and intolerance comes from two major mistakes by McCain. First of all, he chose Sarah Palin, a religious extremist who encompasses the worst characteristics of Dick Cheney and James Watt.

His second error goes back to the 2000 primary campaign. He was the target of a "push poll" which implied that he had fathered an African child out of wedlock and had adopted her. The creator of that infamous poll, which gave Bush the S. Carolina primary, was Steve Schmidt, who is now the architect of the McCain campaign message machine.

McCain is not in good health. He may be having micro-stokes as we watch. The insurance company tables give him no better than a 50/50 chance of living to serve one full term. Given the stress of the campaign and the job, I doubt if he would live another year. A 72-year old, 4-time cancer survivor, who father and grandfather dies when younger than he is now, is simply not able to execute the demands of the job.

It's good McCain finally got around to trying to coral his rabid and angry supporters. However, he puts himself in a quandary. How is he going to play this during the debate. He promised one of his supporters at rally a day or so ago that he'll go after Obama about his associations. Hannity and the rest of the bunch will be irate if he reneges on that promise. McCain will further tarnish and ruin his political career if he proceeds with this idiotic campaign strategy.

Thanks John! But it's too little too late. You and your she devil lap dog said that the only way to turn the election around was to assault Obama's character. Well it went further than just that, did'nt it! Where were you when this was all taking place? Right there allowing it to happen. The damage has been done. Once respect is gone it's hard to regain it. If you had any spine in the first place this would be a none issue!

I think part of the problem is that McCain and his Rovian-protege-campaigners are not as compatible as they thought they were. It appears McCain really didn't know what he got himself into when he sold his soul to the Rovianitzers.

Thanks John! But it's too little too late. You and your she devil lap dog said that the only way to turn the election around was to assault Obama's character. Well it went further than just that, did'nt it! Where were you when this was all taking place? Right there allowing it to happen. The damage has been done. Once respect is gone it's hard to regain it. If you had any spine in the first place this would be a none issue!

McSame had to repudiate his own campaign's message today. In his own town hall meeting, filled to overflow with the rabid Rethug faithful, he had to gently correct some lady who took the mike and said Obama is an Arab.

McSame defended Obama. And he got booed for his troubles.

Be careful what you wish for. Especially true today for the Rethugs party.

obviously Mccain doesnt recognize the meaning of "honor" anymore if he ever did.
It is truly sad and affirming to gop critics that underneath hatred, bigotry and warmongering lays fear.
Look at the hoards who are getting undercut by 8 years of their own republican leadership.
Without the willingness to accept the truth, fear manifests hatred; ferocity; A DEAD END; what leadership?
Pitiful.
If hatred and bigotry indeed gets them the renewal of gop leadership on Nov. 4th the house of cards will really fall.
DEFINITION OF INSANITY:
MORE OF THE McSAME YET EXPECTING DIFFERENT OUTCOME.

I for one am relieved McCain managed to speak up at all. It was really unsettling to see him cowering in front of that mob last week, being booed into acquiescence by Palin's goons. Whichever candidate wins next month, his life will be in danger from the same lunatic fringe. The Republican party traded its soul for this deranged fringe's "support", and now is too cowardly to stand up to them.

Some of these GOP people sounded like they're in some Nazi rally, not a general rally for the presidency of the United States.

Obviously they think neither McCain nor Palin has taken of their "gloves"; this kind of frenzy mob-like atmosphere shown in these so-called town hall meetings make these folks look at radical fringed hate groups. How do they expect to attract moderate Independents and Democrats, when these folks are so angry and hate-filled, so much so that they actually challenge or go over their presidential candidate, to say,

... Well, Sen. McCain, you just say that about that Arab/terrorist, to be nice; we know better; he's a communist, an Arab, a Moslem...

Oh, are we supposed to say better late than never? He should never had gone down the road of character assasination. He needs to pull his attack ads and he needs to put Palin on a leash. The barely submerged hatreds that she's been stiring up are dangerous, they could spin out of control and people could get seriously hurt.

Shame on you John Mc Same maybe once you had honor but certainly not now you have unleashed the racist crackers in your base and you hired Karl Rove the same team who smeared you. You have no chance now period! Should someone commit some disgraceful act due to you and Sarah believe me hell itself will rain down on all of you. OBAMA IN A LANDSLIDE AMERICA AND THAT IS GREAT FOR OUR COUNTRY! Mc Same had to stick his tongue in his butt today and try and get his cracker crowd to bring down their angry and idiotic commentary. Obama has integrity and intellect two characteristics that John Mc Cain does not have. Visit iava.com and see how my fellow veterans and those who fight for us in Afghanistan and Iraq grade Mc Same a D on veterans issues. His campaign is all about lies and smears and trying to put fear in the hearts of the American electorate. Well Senator Mc Same we don't coward easy and wont this time. We are going to vote in Hope with pride and look forward to the day we can tell the world Barack Obama is our President and we got it right this time. No more candidates brought to us by the same clowns that brought us George W. Bush the worst President in our nations history. OBAMANOS! YES WE CAN!

Wow. McCain whips his crowds into "Muslim/Arab/terrorist" frenzies to the point that it blows up in his face and he gets so embarassed that he has to fight his own crowds when they parrot exactly what his Rovian ad campaign was trying to sell. This is rich. Rovian tactics only work when they are in code. McCain's crowds don't know that, so when they break the code and call Obama names, it's McCain who is exposed and has to back off. Only it's too late. McCain was booed when he tried to calm the crowd. Now he just looks like a pathetic old fool.

MSM still won't do the right thing & expose the poisening of this country. the theatre of america imploding is just to good for ratings. lots of hi ranking GOPers are turning their back on McPains despicable hate filled epilogue play. this is how a hanging effigy show up in Oregon after many years of it being blamed on the south. I hate to say it, but this country won't see that it's eating it's own (like the repubs have done for years) until someone really gets hurt. this will finally shine a light on who the GOP base REALLY IS. crazy, rabid, intolerant, & hateful...

It was coming to a point today that the audience would start pulling out their white cone heads and robes. These attacks only fuel the hatred of some so called Americans. I am a Vietnam Vet and proud to have served my country, and yes I was discussed by my homecoming. I have gotten over that, but never the destruction of human life that I witnessed. I have voted Republican, Independant and Democratic over my years since. I have voted with my head and not my heart. The people of this proud country need to do the same and be respectful for each other, our we will fall into a revolution! Once more! I know 99,0 % of this country wants stability lets us make this happen.

MSM still won't do the right thing. the theatre of america imploding is just to good for ratings. lots of GOPers are turning their back on McPains despicable hate filled epilogue play. this is how hanging effigys show up in Oregon. I hate to say it, this country won't see it's eating it's own (like the repubs have done for years) until someone really gets hurt. this will finally shine a light on who the GOP base REALLY IS.

Even while putting on a pretense of civility, it is noteworthy that Senator McCain still advises his supporters to display "ferocity," which any dictionary will tell you means to be "cruel" and "savage." Cruelty and savagery are not attributes required by voters in a democratic system. Cruelty and savagery are not virtues to be recommended by a candidate for the presidency. Voters should not be "ferocious"; they should be thoughtful and considerate, weigh the longterm impact of complex issues, and come to a judgment about the common good. Either Sen. McCain does not understand the meaning of quite simple words, or he doesn't understand the first thing about democracy.

Even while putting on a pretense of civility, it is noteworthy that Senator McCain still advises his supporters to display "ferocity," which any dictionary will tell you means to be "cruel" and "savage." Cruelty and savagery are not attributes required by voters in a democratic system. Cruelty and savagery are not virtues to be recommended by a candidate for the presidency. Voters should not be "ferocious"; they should be thoughtful and considerate, weigh the longterm impact of complex issues, and come to a judgment about the common good. Either Sen. McCain does not understand the meaning of quite simple words, or he doesn't understand the first thing about democracy.

Too late, Senator McCain, you have allowed the hateful speech to incite your "supporters" for too long. You've set a very dangerous range of behaviors into motion and it's too late to stop them now. Shame on you. "Country first" indeed. Shame on you.

I wonder why there is so much anger during Senator McCain's rallies as could clearly be evinced in Lakeville, Minn. Have these supporters actually been sleep-walking for the past 8 years? After 8 years of mediocrity, Americans need a new sense of direction, focus and purpose.

Senator McCain needs to realize that it is absolutely imperative to rein in his supporters who let their emotions get the better of them. Only in so doing can he win or loose nobly or much less, heroically.

This is a sad ending for McCain, a great American and soldier. I once thought he would have made a decent president, but that was before the mugged up to the Bush crowd that he used to stand up to. Now he's thrown his lot in with them, and this statement is is perhaps the beginning of his realization of the mistake he's made. American has had enough of politicians vilifying each other at the expense of the country and electorate.

There is a poll out tonight that shows McCain's negatives are rising. McCain is seeing his smear tactics backfire, so now he pretends to want to run a "respectful" campaign- the same day his campaign releases an ad that says "Obama worked with TERRORIST Bill Ayers." Yes, the ad uses capital letters.

You reap what you sow, McCain. Your not-so-veiled attempt to portray Obama as some secret terrorist has lured to your campaign, the scuzz of the earth. The most racist, backwards, unstable bottom of the barrel Americans. Birds of a feather flock together, as they say.

smith40 thinks Barack has undermined W's foreign policy. This is a hoot. W needed no help from Barack. He is a fool all by himself. W, you will recall, invaded a country that did not attack us on a lie that they had WMA. These lies have led to the deaths of thousands of American soldiers and tens and tens of thousands of innocent civilians. W has thus made Iran the power in the region, having toppled their primary nemesis. He, Cheney, Rice, Powell and Rumsfeld should be sent to the Hague to stand trial for war crimes. When Barack Obama is sworn in as President of the United States, the prestige of our country will immediately be restored.

Is John McCain in control of his own campaign? If he isn't, then who is in control? Is anyone in control?

Just one hour before McCain made the comments referenced above, his campaign came out with a detailed defense of the chilling behavior of the crowds at McCain/Palin rallies.

Also, today the campaign came out with a press release bragging about how John McCain torpedoed the first House vote on the bailout bill. As I recall (it wasn't all that long ago, it only seems so), at the time it happened the McCain campaign was hammering Obama for torpedoing the first House vote.

McCain's statements about respecting Obama (after letting Palin and the campaign trash him for a week), not to mention this new flip-flop on the House vote, give more fodder for the Obama campaign to characterize McCain as erratic, and rightfully so.

It has come to pass that the way a candidate for almost anything runs his or her campaign is seen as a litmus test for how well the candidate will function should she or he win. The Democratic nomination was Hillary Clinton's to lose, and one way she lost it was by allowing internal bickering in the campaign to overtake clear thinking.

John McCain's campaign is in far worse shape -- they can't even keep to their own message from day to day (or in this case, hour to hour). That they felt the only way to win was character assassination is a good sign of how far out of control his campaign has become.

Whether or not you agree with John McCain's views on the issues (whatever those views are today), how can anyone really trust him to have the ability to do what he says he's going to do?

Tomcat3, you made me laugh. Good start, if a bit late for McC, but I guess we'll have to wait and see if he means it. But I'm afraid his followers are a little too far over the edge for sane talk at this point.

The Republican base has been convinced that if a Democrat is elected, particularly one who is "not like us" (ie-black), it will be the end of the free world. Socialized, taxed to death, robbed of their guns, forced to attend gay weddings. Many people actually believe this to be true. Sure they kept their guns and ran their businesses during the Clinton administration, but Fox and the Bush administration put the fear of God into people. McCain should suspend his campaign and just work on fixing the incredible damage done by these propaganda machines. Al Gore has shown that there is much good to be done after a failed presidential bid. And McCain has an opportunity to seize that.
That kind of greatness would truly be putting "country first".

We will see, which European countries will still support a President Nobama in a financial crisis if Noabama shows himself so tolerant towards the Iran and believes he could convince Ahmadinedschad with friendly words. Not even a President, Nobama already underminded the current President Bush in his Foreign Policy with Iran.

John McCain finally found enough backbone to tell his supporters to be respectful of the opposition. One might say that when John McCain should have shown such political instincts would have been when the first over-the-top remarks were made at a political rally.

It was so obvious from the beginning that the quantity and quality of the boos were primarily coming from the Republican rallies. Then we started hearing very disturbing yells being hurled.

Finally, after probably a lot of blogs and noise about this poor behavior, John McCain has responded. However, John's actions have already betrayed him. Ignoring Obama and encroaching on Obama's personal space during the debates shows contempt and disresepct for his rival.

On another note, to hear the Republican operatives discussing Palin is a real stretch. I cannot believe that they can actually suggest that she is anything other than an opportunist and overly confident political lightweight. Her responses to Charles Gibson and Katie Couric cannot be undone. No answer about reading material is simply too lame for words. She was not asked the $64,000 question. I can only imagine that Katie was in complete disbelief at what she was hearing. Contrary to the Republican pundits, this was no "gotcha" moment.

The tone of Obama's campaign was set almost two years ago. In fact, Obama states that his one attempt to reply in kind to the underhanded tactics of his opposition caused him to regret his actions. When I entered the classroom for the first time, my mom, a seasoned teacher, gave me some words of advice. One such piece of advice was to set the tone for acceptable behavior at the very beginning and hold to it. Once a school year had started, it would be increasingly difficult to adjust the discipline in the classroom.

Like Bush, McCain just does not have the political instincts to be an effective leader. He will always be a day late and a dollar short. You might say that this may be the fate of those who score near the bottom of their class.

These McFailin nuts are downright morons. The crowd tactics are tantamount to inciting a riot and they should be held accountable for any issues that come of this. The twist on an old adage holds true, walk like a duck, talk like a duck... must be a duck. However, in this case, walk like a idiot, talk like a idiot, they are idiots.

Shame on the Palin-McBush campaign! By encouraging hate-mongering and racist baiting, these bigots have taken the Republican party down a dangerous path. Why don't more people of good faith condemn this incitement to violence? Should good people, white and otherwise, remain silent while Palin and McCain repeat outlandish falsehoods that make their supporters tell "Kill him!" and "Sit down, boy!" What kind of country do we live in?

New attacks in Pakistan etc. Nobama is only taking people's mind off Foreign Policy. Concerning Foreign Policy, he is 404.
In addition to the financial crisis, Amerika will only sink deeper into security crises with Nobama as president.

I saw the tape of McCain getting booed at his own rally when he stuck up for Obama. It was bizarre. Luckily, no one threw a tomato at him. The collapsing McC campaign is definitely entering Twilight Zone territory at this time.

Prove it, McCain. Pull the Ayers ads, and film a new one. Speak directly to the camera. Apologize for your tone. Apologize for the lies. Ask for our forgiveness. Say nice things about Obama and concede the race right now. Or you can do it at the debate on Wednesday.

I'm an old white man. Those people are old white people. I grew up in the deep deep south. I haven't seen hatred like this in a long time. After a lifetime of having people from up north assume that I'm racist, I am laughing at these hateful a**holes. Boy are they ever gonna be in the sh*t on November 5th. It's going to be a hard day for them! LOL